The 2000s: 2001

2001 recalls the stories and soundtrack of a year dominated by the events of 11 September in America. Over 3,000 people died when al-Quaeda terrorists hijacked four passenger aircraft: two planes were flown into New York's Twin Towers, a third airliner was targeted at the Pentagon building in Washington, and a fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania. At home in Ireland, 2001 was the year hundreds of thousands of people attended religious ceremonies venerating the Relics of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Government plans for a new sports campus and stadium led to the 'Bertiebowl' controversy, while Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was a guest panellist on RTÉ's 'The Premiership' and Irish soccer fans celebrated qualification for next year's World Cup Finals with a playoff victory over Iran.

2001 saw the outbreak of 'foot and mouth' across Europe: despite strict precautions, the disease reached both Northern Ireland and the Republic. Three Dubliners stepped out for the first time on RTE's new TV drama 'Bachelors Walk', while the first Harry Potter film adaptation, 'Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone', went on release. In West Cork, actor Jeremy Irons completed the successful restoration of a medieval castle but courted debate by painting it in pink limewash.

2001 was the year that Tanaiste Mary Harney married Brian Geoghegan. The 'SSIA' savings scheme was launched: America's Dennis Tito became the world's first 'space tourist', and 24-year-old Ellen MacArthur became the youngest person and the fastest woman to sail solo around the world.

2001 bore witness to sectarian hatred in Belfast's Ardoyne area, as Catholic pupils of Holy Cross School endured a daily gauntlet of abuse while walking to school. The year also bore witness to tragedy in Co Wexford, when eight Turkish migrants died while trying to enter Ireland in a locked transport freight container.

Playlist:
Texas - Inner Smile
Samantha Mumba - Always Come Back To Your Love
David Gray - This Year's Love
U2 - Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Ash - Shining Light
Emma Bunton - What Took You So Long
Ronan Keating - Lovin' Each Day
Radiohead - Pyramid Song